What I learnt about Breastfeeding

Posted by on Oct 22, 2012 in Life | One Comment

So I’ve just finished an NCT course! For the uninitiated NCT is the ‘National Childbirth Trust’, a charity that amongst other things runs antenatal classes, nearly new baby sales and coffee mornings. During the first session of our NCT class we were told that it’s confidential, which means I’m not allowed to share with you all the funny things done and said, largely by me. The good news is that all the other couples were fairly normal, in a group of 6 couples you’d expect there to be at least one weird pair, but everyone else seems fine…

If they wanted to move away from their (at least in my eyes) slightly alternative, hippyish perception, then they might have avoided finishing the opening session by dimming the lights, putting on a random Pink Floyd track and inviting the men to massage their expectant partners.

NCT is all about a freedom to choose. Choose your chair. Choose your drink. Choose your hospital. Choose your pain relief. Choose what books you read. It’s your baby, you choose. Don’t let others influence you, don’t be persuaded by what others think. The choice really is all yours!

Our course came with a healthy dose of realism and managing expectations. Dom’t expect a perfect baby, perfect birth experience, don’t assume it’ll be like the films, or like your peers, everyone is different. I guess it’s important to prepare people for the reality, rather than an idealised fantasy. That was helpful, and I think has wider applications…

If you’re thinking of doing antenatal classes I would recommend NCT, of course it all depends on the teacher, but our teacher was great. Also, a little known piece of information… don’t let cost put you off… if you’re household income is below £26k you could get up to 90% discount off the course price… ring up and find out!

Generally I find social interactions awkward and unnecessary… so I used this video as a bit of an Icebreaker for conversation at the first session… Although, speaking of awkward, was when the breastfeeding tutor asked us all to share our experiences of breastfeeding… short of things to say I thought it better to make a joke about being breastfed till I was 8… luckily people laughed…

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1 Comment

  1. Circus Queen
    October 22, 2012

    The fact that the doll is wearing a cloth nappy has won me over! :)
    Glad you enjoyed your NCT classes. We got a lot out of going, though we’d probably go for something a little more left field next time around. I think the thing about not expecting it be like the films goes both ways: it won’t be perfect but it doesn’t have to be a horror story either.
    Hope all goes well with the rest of the pregnancy, with the birth, the breastfeeding and beyond.

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